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Definition of overstress

overstress

/ˌoʊvərˈstrɛs/
o · ver · stress
Plural:overstresses
•
Adjective:overstressed
•
Past Simple:overstressed
•
Past Participle:overstressed
•
Present Participle:overstressing
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overstress Lexical Profile

overstress Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To place excessive emphasis or importance on something.

Example

"One cannot overstress the value of thorough preparation before undertaking a major research project."

2

To subject a person, organism, or physical structure to excessive mental, emotional, or mechanical strain.

Example

"Working seventy hours a week will inevitably overstress your body and lead to burnout."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

Excessive physical, mechanical, or psychological pressure, strain, or tension.

Example

"The engineer warned that prolonged overstress on the support beams could compromise the safety of the bridge."

2

Excessive emphasis or importance placed on a particular point, detail, or syllable.

Example

"Critics noted an overstress on minor procedural rules at the expense of the broader educational goals."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for overstress

• Nearby Words

overstock
overstored
overstrain
overstress
overstretch
overstretched
overstrict

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Overstress. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/overstress
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